Hertfordshire’s School Improvement Strategy

1. Hertfordshire’s School Improvement Strategy Gillian Cawley Assistant Director, Commissioner for Education Services February 2014

2. Hertfordshire’s school improvement strategy – the aims of the session are to: • explain the rationale and context for refreshing Hertfordshire’s strategy • outline the vision and aims of the strategy • share the data behind the setting of priorities • clarify the role of the LA, Herts for Learning and schools in school improvement and the MCSI framework • gather feedback and reflections to inform the final published document

3. Hertfordshire’s School Improvement Strategy • 2004 • 2009 to date • 2014 – 2017? relationship between the LA, Hertfordshire schools and Herts for Learning System leadership and school to school support Hertfordshire context and priorities for improvement Monitoring, Challenge, Support and Intervention framework (MCSI)

4. The world has changed …. but some things haven’t! • Significant shift in educational policy and funding since 2010 • Autonomy and diversity of schools – academies, free schools, UTCs, studio schools • Changing role of LA – strategic commissioner and champion but… • LA retains statutory duty “ to promote high standards so that children and young people achieve well and fulfil their potential” 1996 Education Act • System led school improvement - school to school support embodied now in Herts for Learning • Increasingly demanding Ofsted framework – for schools and LA • Monitoring Challenge Support Intervention (MCSI) framework still applies • Some LAs have lost the S (Support) …and some their C (Challenge) but the requirement remains

5. Hertfordshire’s vision and aims for education • A good school for every child – corporate plan • All children and young people benefit from a world class education and achieve the best possible educational outcomes • Closing the gap in attainment and well being for underachieving groups and districts So how are we doing?......

6. Attainment Key stage 2 1st quintile Key stage 4 1st quintile

7. Progress Key stage 2 3rd quintile 3rd quintile 4thquintile Key stage 4 2nd quintile

8. Closing the gap - FSM Attainment gap – Herts and national (ppts) 5th quintile 2013 % GLD 2013 % L2+ 4th quintile 2013 % L2+ 4th quintile 2013 % L2+ 3rd quintile

9. Closing the gap – FSM Key Stage 2 %L4+ RWM gap – Herts and national (ppts) 5th quintile 4th quintile

10. Closing the gap – FSM Key Stage 4 % 5A*-C inc E&M gap – Herts and national (ppts) 4th quintile 5th quintile

11. Closing the gap - CLA 2013 attainment – Hertfordshire (%) %L4+R, W & M %5A*-C incl Eng & maths

12. Closing the gap – District variation Key Stage 2 %L4+ RWM

13. Closing the gap – District variation Key Stage 4 % 5A*-C inc E&M

14. Ofsted inspections % all schools less than good 4th quintile

15. Ofsted inspections % all schools good and outstanding 4th quintile

16. Priorities 2013-14 Ensure a good or outstanding school for every child and young person Close the gap and improve outcomes for underachieving groups Address discrepancies in attainment at ‘district’ level

17. Meeting the PrioritiesLA as commissioner of school improvement services Herts for Learning commissioned to deliver • statutory duties – MCSI framework, support for governance • a range of core services eg. anti–bullying • additional LA priority projects eg. “closing the gap for underachieving groups” Herts for Learning also offers schools a wide range of traded school improvement and support services shaped to meet school needs including Hertfordshire Improvement Partners

18. Meeting the PrioritiesSystem-led leadership and school to school support • "The new system recognises that expertise lies within schools..." Hertfordshire has strong links with Teaching School Alliances - National and Local Leaders of Education • "Local authorities have a critical role to play in a school-led improvement system...through creating an "enabling environment" within which collaboration can flourish" Herts for Learning embodies school led partnership in Hertfordshire.

19. Priorities for Improvement (2014 – 2015) Improve holistic intelligence and early alerts to identify schools at risk within the changing inspection framework Work with Teaching School Alliances to refresh ‘Lead in Herts’ programme to accelerate improvements and capacity in leadership Develop a countywide approach to sharing best practice and evidencing impact Provide support to recruit and retain high quality staff Increase the number of good or better schools and settings

20. Close the gap for vulnerable groups whilst maintaining high levels of attainment Support an improved understanding and use of data Share best practice of what works with specific groups through the Exchanging Excellence –Closing Gaps project Focus on strategies to support pupils with lowest prior attainment Develop research based pilots and projects and systematically share findings Priorities for Improvement (2014 – 2015)

21. Achieve greater geographical consistency in outcomes across the county Invest in targeted projects across lower attaining districts Support a cross cutting recruitment drive to support schools in areas of shortage Work in collaboration with teaching school alliances and clusters to raise profile of high priority areas and target resources accordingly Ensure sharing best practice includes examples from areas with similar schools and relevant geographical characteristics Priorities for Improvement (2014 – 2015)

22. Education and Early Intervention Board of Directors Educational Standards and Performance through commissioning HfL to deliver a range of school improvement duties on behalf of the local authority including monitoring, challenging, supporting and where appropriate, intervening in schools causing concern. Hertfordshire Music Service Virtual School for Children Looked After Senior Leadership Group School Place Planning Schools Capital Programme Admissions and Transport Childhood Support Services Academies and Free School Programme Schools Forum and Schools Financial Strategy Schools’ HR Marketing, Communications and Commissioning Governance Schools’ ICT Services Financial Services for Schools (FSS) School IT Systems Support (SITSS) Primary School Effectiveness Advisers Secondary School Effectiveness Advisers Early Years Advisers Assessment Teaching and Learning Integrated Services for Learning incorporating Educational Psychology Attendance Special Educational Needs Complex and Low Incidence Needs Early Years (SEND) ESCs DSPL Targeted Advice Service (TAS) Youth Connexions Targeted Youth Support including Youth Justice (TYS) Thriving Families14-19 Learning Team Counselling and Arts Therapy in schools How to Thrive Offsite Advisory Service Other HCC services for schools Safeguarding and Specialist Services • Child protection • Local Authority Designated Officer • Adoption and fostering • Children in Need • Disabled Children - protection and family support services • Brokerage Team Payroll and School Transactions • Payroll • Pensions administration (via Serco Payroll for TPS or via LPFA for LGPS) • Safe Staffing, DBS and single central record service Herts Business Services • Herts Reprographics, print and design • Equipment and equipment testing • Fleet management • Grounds maintenance Data • Education and data collection • Freedom of information • Data Protection Premises and sites • Energy management • Capital works • Contractors • Building management Assurance Services • Health and safety advisory service • Shared Internal Audit Service (SIAS) Legal services • Property • Commercial • Employment • Helpline Finance • School funding Media relations and reputation management

23. Hertfordshire’s School Improvement Strategy Table Discussion

24. What will Ofsted inspection of LA school improvement want to know and…what would your answer be? • How well does the local authority know your school, your performance and the standards your pupils achieve? • What measures are in place to support and challenge your school and how do these meet the needs of your school? • What is the impact of the local authority support and challenge over time to help your school improve?

25. Hertfordshire School Improvement Strategy Monitoring, Challenge and Support

26. Assessment of schools School self evaluation is a starting point Ofsted framework HfL termly assessment of performance HIP programme Academies/Free schools/non HIP schools - set of desk top exercises - key data release dates Other school related data

27. New School categorisation – to ensure that resources are targeted appropriately by LA/HfL

28. Support for schools to meet school and LA priorities Differentiated according to need - from critical friend to intervention Facilitation of school to school support – teaching school alliances, NLEs, LLEs, NLGs HfL - HIP programme, school effectiveness advisers, teaching and learning advisers Targetted support to raise achievement – RANGe, “Closing the Gap” And …..the full range of programmes and services from HfL

29. Hertfordshire School Improvement Strategy Table Discussion – Monitoring, Challenge and Support

30. Hertfordshire School Improvement Strategy Intervention and Support Schools where performance is a concern

31. Schools where performance is a concern

32. Schools causing concern (LA maintained) School rated ‘red’ - confirmation of ‘school causing concern’ Support package agreed Concerns not addressed - warning notice issued Concerns not addressed - formal intervention procedures

33. Hertfordshire School Improvement Strategy Table Discussion – Intervention and Support

34. Hertfordshire School Improvement Strategy Final thoughts and next steps

35. TIMELINE FOR CONSULTATION PROCESS & LAUNCH